House of Lords Reform Bill Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

House of Lords Reform Bill

Guy Opperman Excerpts
Monday 9th July 2012

(12 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sadiq Khan Portrait Sadiq Khan
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It very much is. Unlike the hon. Gentleman’s coalition partners, we keep our promises.

Guy Opperman Portrait Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)
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The right hon. Gentleman said that he required time to consider the Bill. How long does he require—10, 15, 20 or 25 days? Will he enlighten the House by saying how long he feels is necessary?

Sadiq Khan Portrait Sadiq Khan
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We are in favour of reform. I will come to the issue of timing in a moment.

I note from his opening statement that the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted areas where the Bill had been amended as a result of the Joint Committee’s report, but he was less keen to highlight those where he has not taken on board the Joint Committee’s views. He knows as well as I do that he has cherry-picked from the Joint Committee’s report, while blindly ignoring its other key recommendations and concerns. Let me turn to the Bill itself. If I was being generous, I would have to say that the Bill as it stands is a bit of a mess.